25/09 Zero tolerance in international schools, but drug tests are discreet

Students face random testing, but analysis is done overseas to keep results confidential

 

Students at international schools are subjected to random drug tests throughout the year, but analysis is done overseas to keep results confidential.

By Lydia Vasko

They may take a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, yet when it comes to testing their students for it, international schools prefer to play it cautious.

At the International School Singapore (ISS), Tanglin Trust School (TTS), Lycee Francais de Singapour (LFS) and Singapore American School (SAS), students are subjected to random drug tests throughout the year.

But to protect students from prosecution, the schools send these tests overseas for analysis. TTS sends its samples to a laboratory in Britain.

ISS sends its samples to the United States, 'using a code so that the student's identity is kept confidential', said headmaster Tony Race. The schools declined to comment on how much they spend each year doing this. TTS said 'it's not a significant amount'.

07/07 S.Korea starts work on new N.Korea refugee centre

Jul 7, 2011

South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In Taek. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

SEOUL - SOUTH Korea broke ground on Thursday for a second resettlement centre to help growing numbers of refugees from communist North Korea adjust to life in the capitalist South.
When completed by the end of next year the new facility in Hwacheon county, 120km north-east of Seoul, will accommodate up to 500 refugees at a time, the unification ministry said.
Unification Minister Hyun In Taek said the number of refugees to reach the South since the 1950-53 war stood at 22,000 but would soon reach 30,000-40,000.
Resettlement centres run a mandatory three-month course which covers career guidance, information on the South and basic everyday skills such as buying a subway ticket, opening a bank account and using a credit card.
The refugees are given financial and housing support upon leaving, but often hand much of their cash to professional brokers who helped them escape.
Seoul sees the refugees as 'front-runners' to work for eventual reunification. Pyongyang says the conservative South Korean government has a 'pipe dream' of absorbing it in a German-style reunification. -- AFP